Lights on a ceiling fan create a good central lighting effect. The glass light covers on these fixtures become dated or clash with the mood you want for room's decor. A challenge in changing color on these fixtures comes from the potential fire risk caused by covering a light fixture and the difficulty of getting the right fit. Create colored light the way professionals do at theaters and concerts. You can obtain fire-safe colored covers to put over the ceiling fan lights and install them in under an hour.
Plan
Theatrical lighting gel comes in many colors. This product safely tolerates heat. Each gel is thin and easy to cut and shape (see Reference 1). Make a note of the number of lights to cover. Consider if you want to cover only the glass, or also the open area the light bulb shines out of. The gel can be shaped like a cone to cover only the fixture, or you can wrap the whole light in gel so all the light comes through the color.
Chose one or more colors to use. Amber and pink are two of the most flattering colors on the face. Avoid green, which is unflattering on everyone. Blues and purples give and shades of yellow and orange give warm light. The darker the gel's color, the less light it allows through. Light-colored gels tint the light and give a subtle change in color.
Obtain Lighting Gels
In urban areas, visit a theater supply store that carries lighting supplies. Choose an online supplier if there isn't a theater supply store convenient to you. Place your order based on the notes you made for your ceiling fan light covers. Stop by a hardware store and get some bendable wire to attach the gets to the light fixtures. Choose a thin wire in a finish similar to the ceiling fan.
Create Covers
To cover the glass light fixtures, remove them from the ceiling fan. Wrap the gel around one of the glass fixtures. Use scissors to cut the gel so it will fit like a cone, narrow at the base, and wider at the aperture. If you want the opening covered, fold the gel over the opening. You can overlap the gel and staple it if you want a firm fit, or fold the gel all the way back to the base and loop the wire around the base of the glass (the end that attaches to the ceiling fan) to hold the gel on the light fixture. Don't use tape or glue as adhesives can melt. Cover each glass in your choice of color and put them back on the ceiling fan.
Light Bulbs
You can save money and energy by using cool-burning Energy Star-rated compact fluorescent light bulbs. They come in warm and cool light colors (see Reference 2). To change light bulbs, remove the glass; the gel remains in place. Change the gel colors for parties if desired.
Tags: cool light, cover only, glass light, , light fixture